Chickenpox (Varicella)

Chickenpox used to be very common in the United States. But the good news is that the vaccine has greatly reduced the number of people who get it. Two doses of the chickenpox vaccine are about 94% effective at preventing it. Most people who get the vaccine don’t get chickenpox — and those who do usually get a much milder version of the disease.

There are 2 vaccines that protect against chickenpox:

The chickenpox vaccine protects children and adults from chickenpox

The MMRV vaccine protects children from measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox

Chickenpox is very contagious — it spreads easily from person to person. And while it’s usually mild, it can cause serious complications like pneumonia (lung infection). Certain people — like infants, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women — are at increased risk for complications.

The chickenpox virus can also cause shingles later in life. Shingles is a disease that causes a painful skin rash and can affect the nervous system. Children who get the chickenpox vaccine may have a lower risk of developing shingles later on — and those who do get shingles often have a milder case than someone who has had chickenpox.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent chickenpox. And when enough people get vaccinated against chickenpox, the entire community is less likely to get it. So when you and your family get vaccinated, you help keep yourselves and your community healthy.

Chickenpox usually spreads when a person touches chickenpox or shingles blisters — or if they breathe in the virus. You can breathe in the virus after someone with chickenpox or shingles scratches their blisters, which releases the virus into the air.

It’s also possible to get chickenpox from breathing in tiny droplets from people who have it that get into the air after they breathe or talk. Learn more about chickenpox.

All children, adolescents, and adults who aren’t immune to (protected from) chickenpox need 2 doses of the chickenpox vaccine. People who have only had 1 dose of chickenpox vaccine need to get a second dose.

Children

Children age 12 months and olderneed to get the chickenpox vaccine as part of their routine vaccine schedule.

4 through 6 years for the second dose (or sooner as long as it’s 3 months after the first dose)

Children ages 1 through 12 years can get the MMRV vaccine, which is a combination vaccine that protects against chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella. Your child’s doctor can recommend the vaccine that’s right for your child.

Side effects are usually mild and go away in a few days. They may include:

Pain, swelling, and redness where the shot was given

Mild rash

Low fever

Serious side effects from the chickenpox vaccine are very rare.

Like any medicine, there's a very small chance that the chickenpox vaccine could cause a serious reaction. Keep in mind that getting the chickenpox vaccine is much safer than getting chickenpox. Learn more about vaccine side effects.